Full Breakdown
Deep-Dive: How a New AP-NORC Poll Reveals Growing Rifts Among U.S. Jews Over Israel
7/11/2026, 8:07:53 AM
Core Findings of the June 2026 Survey
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research surveyed 3,040 U.S. adults (June 11-17, 2026), including an oversample of 1,022 Jewish respondents. The poll shows stark divisions along religious affiliation, party identification, and age regarding Israel’s war in Gaza, U.S. policy toward the conflict, and perceptions of Israeli leadership.
Religious and Generational Split
- Seven-in-ten Jewish adults identify as religiously Jewish; three-in-ten describe themselves as atheists, agnostics, or unaffiliated but still “culturally” Jewish.
- Among religious Jews, ? 50 % say Israel’s current Gaza operations are justified, while only ? 20 % of unaffiliated Jews share that view.
- Four-in-ten unaffiliated Jews believe Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, compared with ? 25 % of religious Jews.
- Seventy-four percent of all Jewish adults say they are “not too” or “not at all” emotionally attached to Israel, a sharp contrast with earlier polls.
- Younger Jews—regardless of affiliation—are less likely to view Israel as central to their identity and more likely to label its actions as genocide.
Political Alignment and Leadership Ratings
- Overall, ? 60 % of Jewish adults identify as Democrats; ? 30 % as Republicans.
- Among Jewish Democrats, 58 % say the United States is “too supportive” of Israel, up from 45 % in early 2024. Only 3 % of Jewish Republicans share that view.
- Forty-four percent of Jewish respondents view New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (a vocal critic of Israel) favorably, versus 32 % who view Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu favorably; Netanyahu’s unfavorable rating stands at 59 %.
- Half of Jewish Democrats (45 %) say Israel’s Gaza war amounts to genocide, while just 3 % of Jewish Republicans agree.
Safety Concerns and Community Strain
- Six-in-ten Jewish adults feel “less safe” as Jews in the United States than before the Oct 7, 2023 attacks.
- One-third report personal or household experiences of assault, verbal abuse, or property damage linked to their Jewish background; the incidence rises to ? 50 % among those who attend services monthly or more.
- Fifty-five percent say they have been offended by someone’s comments about Israel; ? 40 % report family disagreements, and ? 30 % have stopped talking to someone over Israel-related remarks.
Why the Divide Matters
The poll underscores a “wedge issue” that is reshaping Jewish political representation, influencing party strategies ahead of the 2026 midterms, and heightening concerns about antisemitism. Divergent views on Zionism, support for a two-state solution, and the definition of antisemitism are feeding intra-community tension and affecting how Jewish voters assess both Democratic and Republican candidates.
Official Responses and Community Voices
Jewish adults overall see Israel as a component of their identity, yet the data reveal a growing willingness to critique Israeli policy without equating criticism with antisemitism. Party leaders on both sides are confronting the shift: Democratic strategists note the surge in calls for greater U.S. aid to Palestinians, while Republican officials point to stable “about-right” support for Israel among their base.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
National surveys (Pew Research, May 2026) show Americans’ favorable view of Israelis has fallen sharply, yet views of Palestinians have remained steady. Among Jews, however, 30 % label Israel’s Gaza actions as genocide—a figure mirroring the broader U.S. adult share, but far higher than the 13 % of Jewish Republicans who do so. The poll does not capture longitudinal data on how these attitudes will evolve as the war continues.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I kind of think of myself as an American version of a Jew. I do have a homeland,” — Anna Constant, 56, Seattle.
- “I realize that there is a threat from Hamas. And I realize they’re in a very difficult situation, but what they have done is just an unspeakable horror. They’re trying to wipe out a civilization as far as I’m concerned.” — Harold Kalmus, 69, Arden, Delaware.
- “The Gaza Strip — there’s not a lot left of it. Those poor people are barely living,” — Joy Jennik, 73, Brookfield, Wisconsin.
- “Unfortunately, some innocents will be hurt, but Hamas and Hezbollah never took that into consideration when they were killing children and women in Israel.” — Mike Cardona, 70, Phoenix suburbs.
- “That person, they don’t know anything about me. They don’t know my politics. They don’t know my beliefs. They don’t know my viewpoints,” — Hal Guberman, 30, New Jersey.
